Ecco fuor di stagion

Alfonso Fontanelli’s Ecco fuor di stagion is a five-voice madrigal, sung by SSATB. The music opens with lively interplay between the voices, depicting the joyful return of spring. The text describes birdsong and the blossoming of a rose, but then turns to a more personal reflection: the appearance of the singer’s beloved is the true herald of spring. The composer’s setting vividly captures the changing moods of the text, from the outdoor scene to the intimate declaration of love. This secular Italian part-song offers rich opportunities for expressive ensemble singing.